Black Legion: Gates of Cilicia

by Michael G. Thomas

  “So, what do you think about being a mercenary?” she asked him with a coy expression.

  Glaucon interrupted him before he could speak.

  “I think he likes it quite enough. Now, I don’t know about you lot, but I need a shower and then food, a lot of food.”

  Tamara nodded feverishly in agreement. “And drink!”

  Glaucon and Tamara moved off, leaving Xenophon and Roxana amongst the last few near the dromon. Xenophon looked to her and beckoned towards the others.

  “Can I buy you a drink?” he asked.

  Roxana said nothing, but she simply nodded and pulled him forward and towards the rest of the unit.

  “That will do for starters!” she laughed.

  * * *

  The briefing room chosen by Strategos Clearchus had been cleared so that only he and Lord Cyrus were present. It was an intricately detailed room, often used to entertain high-ranking dignitaries. It operated as an antechamber to the great hall that was embedded deep within the heart of the Titan. Sculptures and trophies taken from scores of defeated enemies covered the walls. In one cabinet was a complete set of armour taken from the fallen Mulac commander. The hole created by the pulse rifle and wounds caused by Xenophon and Glaucon were still present. The room was designed to remind the Laconians of their past, just as much as to remind their friends and enemies as to their power. Clearchus smiled to himself as he looked at the Mulac.

  We have the trophy even though the victor was actually a previous member of the Terran Alliance. Ironic that the trophy falls to us.

  In the centre of the room was a lavishly decorated wooden and stone granite table. It was excessive for a starship, even more so for a Laconic ship. Floating above it was a detailed star map. It was more than ten metres wide and coloured with all the stars and nebulae in the known galaxy. The Cilician Gates were prominent to the left, and the remainder taken up by the vast realm of the Median Empire. The small amount of space taken up on the far left showed up markedly compared to the vastness of the Empire.

  “You realise that Tissaphernes must have had a hand in what happened at the Gates?” he asked.

  Cyrus looked at him, surprised that the Terran had thought that far ahead.

  “Yes, I agree. He is no friend of mine, and I am suspicious that this was an attempt to weaken or discredit me.”

  Clearchus said nothing for a moment, confused at the Medes suggestion.

  “You think he did this as a trap, to corner and kill you?”

  “Perhaps, at the very least to weaken me so that I would not be a threat to him. It can hardly be advantageous to his position or ego to have the brother of the Emperor running about doing his dirty work. If I had been defeated and humiliated by raiders, it would have left me isolated.”

  Clearchus shook his head in confusion.

  “And yet you let him leave in one piece?”

  Cyrus laughed loudly and stepped forward, placing his hand on the Strategos’ shoulder.

  “My friend, you have much to learn about politics. He feels safer, and we can go about our business. It will be worth bearing this in mind when we next have to deal with him though. Median politics has always been a little, well, how do you day it?” he asked, pausing as he tried to think of the words. “Yes, there is much cloak and dagger in my lands.”

  He smiled at the Laconian commander and then turned back to the map.

  “So, as you can see, our Empire contains hundreds of races and incorporates many domains and empires. There is nothing else like my lands in the known Galaxy. At the centre lies the old Median worlds, and these are the oldest, richest and most heavily defended planets you can imagine. It is also the home of the Royal Fleet, commanded by none other than, the Emperor.”

  Strategos Clearchus smiled at the hubris, but chose to ignore it. He gazed at the map, and the vast disparity between the hundreds of smaller Terran worlds and the great collective Empire of the Medes. They were so different, yet the Terrans had much strength, something he had so far failed to see in the Medes.

  “I appreciate the breadth of your brother’s domain, but I do not see why I need to know this to continue our operation to clear the borders of pirates and raiders.”

  Cyrus looked at the star map and then back to Clearchus.

  Is he ready for what I must tell him? he thought. Would he rise to the challenge, or demand his money and return to the Terran world, an exile of Laconia, but a rich one?

  He pressed a button and altered the map to show the centre of the Empire. He brought up the Imperial capital, the ancient world and centre of the Galaxy to his people. Clearchus was busy examining a series of reports from the fleet concerning the new arrivals from Arcadia. Cyrus looked back to the Capital world and smiled to himself.

  My brother, Emperor of the Medes. I am coming for you.

  THE END

  THE GALAXY

  APPENDIX I: PEOPLE

  Ariaeus

  Median general and Cyrus’ second in command. Rival of Tissaphernes but young, powerful and ambitious. Commanded a fleet that was double the size of Clearchus as well as over 20,000 automaton stratiotes. Famous for leading a series of revolt in the border lands against central Median control.

  Artaxerxes (Emperor of the Medes)

  The half brother of Lord Cyrus and leader of the most powerful empire in the known universe. Artaxerxes was a shrewd tactician and ruthless in ambition. His personal fortune and Royal Fleet were the envy of every Terran world.

  Cyrus

  Half-brother of the Emperor. Tall for a Imperial but still lithe and quick. Lived in self-imposed exile following the death of his father, rather than risk the wrath of his power-hungry brother Artaxerxes. Secretly arranged for groups of mercenaries to mass at the Cilician Gates. Their mission was the usurpation of the Emperor himself.

  Crixus

  Laconian politician and former general. Leader of the Thirty Tyrants on Attica during the occupation and considered both a hero on his home world and a tyrant on Attica.

  Erika Montoya

  A Terran politician on the planet Attica. After decades of service for the state she became of the Thirty. One of the few official to survive the pogrom following the reinstatement of democracy. Rumoured to have business dealings with the Laconians and born into one of the richest estates in the Alliance.

  Ezekiel Manus

  The Kybernetes of the Black Legion cruiser Vendetta, who took over command of the ship following the death of the kentarchos.

  Julius (Dekarchos)

  Dekarchos of the elite 6th Spatharios onboard the Arcadian Titan Olympia. Assisted in the evacuation following the disaster and commended for bravery under fire.

  Glaucon

  Friend of Xenophon. A playboy from a one of the richest families on Attica. Strong democrat, escapes with Xenophon after being accused of helping one of the collaborators.

  Gryllus

  Xenophon’s father, murdered on Attica. Member of the Thirty but fought publically for citizens of Attica. Considered a hero after being murdered by Xenophon. In reality killed by Montoya and her henchman.

  Kleandridas

  One of the two topoteretes of the Ten Thousand, deputy commanders of the Armada and close friends of Clearchus. He was from a poor mining family that were killed during the Mining Revolt, a famous event in Arcadian history. There were later rumours that the revolt was staged by the Medes under the command of Ariaeus.

  Pasion (Komes)

  Commander of the Night Blades. A strong supporter of Dukas Xenias and one of the first Terran officers to be involved in the fighting at the Cilician Gates. Quick to anger and very distrustful of the Medes he was also an expert in the use of heavy weapons and explosives.

  Pleistoanax

  One of the two topoteretes of the Ten Thousand, deputy commanders of the armada. He oversaw the operation at the Cilician gates while Clearchus and Kleandridas commanded the operation from the ground. An outstanding officer and the best in his class at the Arcadian Army A
cademy. Considered by many to be the finest tactician in the fleet. He might have even made it as commander of the Legion if it were not for his infamous womanising.

  Roxana Devereux

  Officer in the Alliance Navy, friend of Xenophon. Met on Attica before enlistment. A confidant and tall women with thick auburn hair and grey eyes . She was almost the same height and build as Xenophon himself and spent time both in the Alliance military and working as a mercenary prior to the expedition.

  Tissaphernes

  Media Satrap and high lord of the rich region around the Cilician Gates. Close friend of the Emperor and major rival of Cyrus.

  Xenias (Dukas)

  An Arcadian soldier and commander of the Olympia. He took a vast contingent of 2,000 mercenaries with him to join the Ten Thousand. His junior commanders included Komes Pasion, leader of the Night Blades.

  Xenophon

  A citizen of Attica and rumoured to be a pupil of Kratez . Saw limited service during the Terran Civil War. Prefect of the Inner Wards on Attica, eventually forced into exile with Glaucon. Blamed for death of Gryllus who fought for the rights of the citizens with the Thirty. Joined the Ten Thousand mercenaries that fought for the rebel prince Cyrus against the Empire. Though an ardent Attica loyalist, he showed sympathy towards the Laconians and argued against continuing hostilities with them all his life. Famously single for most of his life, avoids getting too involved with any one person. He was tall and slender, with cropped blonde hair and dark blue eyes and known for being both introverted, highly conservative and intellectual.

  APPENDIX II: TERMINOLOGY

  Anusiya

  The elite royal military of the Median Empire. Known as Anusiya in their own language, it means something akin to immortals due to their large numbers that never dwindle.

  Arcadia

  A Terran world famous for its stoic warriors and weak stability. Many Alliance politicians would joke about the elections not being needed on Arcadia, this was apparently due to the number of coups.

  Asgeirr-Carbine

  Laconian close-quarter weapon. Fits in the fist and lower arm of a warrior and combines a razor sharp blade and a cut down pulse carbine. The entire unit is compact and very light. Short ranged but very powerful, its blade can punch through most armour.

  Attica

  The heavily populated homeworld of the Atticans and the capital world of the old Terran Alliance. It was one of the earliest colonies established by the Terrans in their earliest years of expansion. Home of Xenophon, Glaucon and Roxana.

  Doru Mk II Rifle

  Arcadian, standard weapon used by the light infantry for scouting and special operations. The Doru MK II is a uses a high velocity pulse round and is capable of long distance interdiction and can penetrate most modern armours.

  Dromon

  Generic name for small transports, assault ships and rescue ships. One of the most popular types of craft used throughout the Terran planets. Most were capable of atmospheric flight.

  Elamite

  A Scythian Class heavy battleship of the Median Empire. Almost half a kilometre long, frequently used as a command ship for median fleets. One of the largest ships ever seen outside of the Median Empire’s own territory.

  Fort Plymouth

  The most distant and powerful of the Alliance Olympus class outposts. It was situated within striking distance of the border worlds of the Empire. It was the home of the Armada during the last war with the Laconians. With thousands of personnel and hundreds of ships, it was impregnable to all but a full invasion. Stationed over 200 parsecs from Attica and nearly 230 parsecs from Laconia. 14 jumps were required for the trip, a journey that would take 2 weeks from Attica if stops were made at Alliance refuelling stations. With tankers, the trip could be conducted in half the time.

  Hydra class destroyer

  A common Alliance destroyer. At a length of one hundred and fifty metres, and with a crew of one hundred and ninety five, the vessels were the smallest self-sufficient ships in the Alliance Armada. The destroyers had the look of large predatory fish from Ancient Earth, with large frontal sections and long tails that carried a multitude of antenna and sensors.

  Ionia Territories

  A disputed area that had once been under Terran control. It had now been carved up into a dozen separate territories, each controlled by a powerful Ionian warlord. The high gravity world had helped breed a swarthy but short people who specialised in shipbuilding and high-energy weapons.

  Laconia

  Ruled by seven men that included a dual kingship, knows as the two Basileus, five Ephors and a vocal ‘popular assembly’. In reality the planet was controlled by the Ephors who were elected for life as tyrants. The Basileus were little more than generals with little political power. The manpower for the state was provided by a complex series of indentured workers who were little more than slaves and commonly revolted.

  Laconian Infantry

  Laconian spatharios were the traditional heavy infantry of Laconia. They wore their traditional crimson Laconian uniforms, topped with their iconic helmets. Unlike most other Terrans they also wore the common infantryman’s breastplate, an archaic looking device made of an advanced polymer compound that was proof against many common weapons. Only the senior commanders and the elite bodyguard unit were entitled to wear the red tunics and armour. Other Laconian units were allowed to wear the crimson cloak but only for ceremonial purposes.

  Laconian League

  The pre-eminent Terran empire lead by military colony of Laconia. An equal to any colony on its own and the master of the League that it ruled through a series of complex oaths and agreements. Made extensive use of ancient Byzantine iconography and titles.

  Median Empire

  A massive Imperial state of over a thousand worlds spread through the galaxy. Its capital, Babylon Prime, is based in the heart of its territory and protected by an elite navy of a thousand ships. Its worlds include hundreds of races from primitive farming worlds to the death worlds and the advanced robotic domains. The dominant race are the Medes who inhabit the core worlds of the Empire.

  Mulacs

  A generic name for several species of mutants, pirates and mercenaries. These creatures were often used by the Medes as scouts and raiders for their own forces. In more recent years they have been found carving out their own territories in the border regions.

  Night Blades

  The elite special forces reconnaissance unit on-board the Olympia. Commanded by Komes Pasion. Their specialisms were raiding, recon and assault.

  Olympia

  The renegade Titan from Arcadia, commanded by Dukas Xenias. The first ship that Xenophon and his comrades served on in the expedition under Lord Cyrus.

  Ranks

  The Ten Thousand under Clearchus used the traditional system of military ranks used in the Laconian military. This system dated in part back to the system used thousands of years earlier on Earth. They were a bizarre mixture of naval and army titles that had become mixed over the millennia. These ranks include:

  Senior Ranks

  Strategos, General of a campaign

  Topoteretes, sub commanders of the strategos, usually two per tagma

  Anticensor, leader of engineers

  Akolouthos, leader of the general’s bodyguard. Allowed to wear red uniforms

  Dukas, commander of a multiple tagma (group of professional bandon or ship squadrons, usually 1,000+ warriors)

  Komes, leader of a small fleet (5-10 ships) or 300 infantry (a bandon)

  Kentarchos, ship’s captain or commander of infantry company of 100 warriors (kentarchiai)

  Kybernetes, ship’s executive officer

  Junior Ranks

  Dekarchos, commander of 10 warriors, or junior command position on a ship

  Pentarchos, commander of 5 warriors, or junior command position on a ship

  Auletes, communications officer

  Spatharios

  The spatharios (plural: spatharii) was a Terran heavy infan
tryman, used frequently by the Arcadians and Laconians.

  Stratiotes

  A common Terran solder, frequently used to denote the light infantry in Terran armies or the heavy infantry of non Terrans.

  Su’bartu Maelstrom

  A vast cluster of star systems populated by dead planets. Situated between the fertile border worlds and the rich inner systems close to Median territory. An extremely dangerous area to pass through due to lack of fuel and supplies for dozens of jumps. Even a Titan would take two to three weeks to make the journey. The maelstrom is so dangerous only one in three ships ever makes it through. At the Median side of the maelstrom is the massive Babylon Starfort, home of the Imperial Fleet; the fleet in the known Galaxy.

  Terran Alliance

  Formed following the historic victories of the Terrans against the Empire. Money and ships were provided as a tithe and in turn the Alliance provided security and trade. They were the arch rivals of the Laconian League, headed by Laconia. Much richer and more diverse than the Laconians. They were famous for their use of Romanesque titles in civilian and military life.

  Titan

  The largest capital ship used by the Terrans. Capable of carrying tens of thousands of crew and warriors. Five Titans accompanied the Ten Thousand. Each Titan was commanded by the senior Dukas, selected based on the man with the largest contingent. Titan in the fleet included Valediction (under Clearchus), Olympia (under Xenias)

  Topoteretes